Finding Bliss (Bliss #1)

by Cassie Strickland

  “Thanks, Mrs. Birdie,” I murmured as I left the kitchen, praying she was right.

  When I arrived at Grey’s office, the door was shut, just like Mrs. Birdie had said, so I knocked.

  “Go away,” Grey hollered from the other side.

  I knocked again. “Grey, it’s me.”

  I heard a chair rolling on the hardwood floor and then footsteps approaching swiftly. The door was swung open and Grey was filling the doorway. Relief washed over his handsome features before he grabbed me around the waist and slammed my body against his. He tucked his head into my neck and took in a deep breath.

  “Thank God,” he whispered reverently.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes, knowing it would be all right.

  Grey was the first to pull away. He cupped my jaw and searched my face. “You came,” he stated, his voice smooth and rich.

  “I came,” I whispered, locking eyes with him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so mad. I should have talked to you.”

  He shook his head vigorously. “No, I shouldn’t have listened. I could’ve stopped you from sayin’ all that. I’m sorry.”

  I pursed my lips to keep from grinning. “So we’re okay?”

  His breath came out in a long gush. “We’re okay.” I hugged him again and let his comforting warmth fill me. “But we still need to talk.”

  Well, there goes that comfort.

  I disentangled myself from him and walked into his office. I stared out the window, questioning flippantly, “About what?” Avoidance was good sometimes.

  He laughed and grabbed my hand. He shut the door and locked it before he pulled me with him to his office chair. He helped me up on the edge of his desk, keeping me between his legs as he sat. He held both of my hands in his as he leaned back and studied me.

  Well, it’s now or never.

  “Grey-”

  “I’ll start,” he interrupted me, his eyes shining with happiness. “I love you.” The confession was so unexpected, my head rocked back. My mouth parted as I gaped at him. “If you wouldn’t have kicked me out last night, I would have told you.”

  Oops.

  “I…”

  He reached forward and cupped my cheek, gazing at me adoringly. “I do, Clara. I love you so much. I thought I’d lost you last night. I thought I’d screwed up so badly…” He closed his eyes in pain.

  I ran the back of my fingers along the stubble on his cheek. “It would take a lot more than that to drive me away from you. I’m sorry I freaked so badly.”

  “No-”

  I shushed him by placing my hand over his mouth. “No. I need to get this out.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled under my fingertips. “I had somewhat of a flashback when I found you there without knowing it.” His smile faded and worry took its place. “Jonathan used to spy on me, and it brought those feelings back. It wasn’t about you overhearing me. I mean it was…but it wasn’t. It was because of my issues and the things that Jonathan used to do…his invasion of my privacy. I lost my mind. I’m sorry I did that to you. You should have been able to stay, and we should have talked about what you heard.”

  His eyes had closed again as he heard my confession. There was so much agony there when he opened them that my heart nearly broke. “I didn’t think about that,” he admitted regretfully. “It never crossed my mind.”

  “I know.” My smile was sad. “And I don’t want you to worry about doing something that will set me off. I need to be able to handle things like this, Grey. I don’t want our relationship to be about you walking on eggshells, waiting for me to freak again. I want you to be you.”

  “And you’re you, Clara,” he explained. “Things like this might happen. I don’t wanna paint you as this- victim that can’t deal with life. That’s not you. You’re strong…so strong. But with what happened to you, it’s okay for you to get upset. It’s okay if somethin’ brings back a painful memory. Just don’t run from me. We need to work it out together.”

  I nodded. “I can do that, Grey. I promise I’ll do that.”

  “I won’t treat you as somebody broken, Clara. Don’t think that. Please.”

  “I don’t. It’s just… What if things like this continue to happen? I don’t want us to change.”

  “We won’t. As long as we discuss the issues, we’ll be okay.”

  I breathed in deeply and let it out, relieved. “Okay.”

  “Okay.” He grinned and raised a brow. “Do you have somethin’ you wanna tell me?”

  I bit my lip coyly. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe, huh?” He rolled his chair closer to me and circled an arm around my waist. “I think it’s more than a maybe.”

  I snaked my arms around his neck and smiled a blinding smile. “You’re right. It’s more than a maybe.” I leaned in and kissed him softly. I pulled back and stared into his eyes, letting him see all the love I had for him. “I love you, Grey.”

  His mouth slammed against mine in a bruising kiss. He tasted like heaven. It had only been a day, but it had felt like so much longer. He tore his mouth away, panting, and said, “I love you, Clara.” He ran his hand down the length of my hair and smiled. “So much.”

  “Me too,” I returned, feeling happier than I’d ever felt.

  He loved me.

  But then I remembered something else. “Grey?”

  Hearing the sudden change in my tone, he frowned. “What is it?”

  “If this keeps going the way it’s going…” I hesitated.

  “It is goin’ that way,” he stated, knowing what I meant.

  “I can’t have children.” Tears welled up in my eyes at that old, ragged wound.

  His face softened, and he leaned in to kiss me again, this time softly. “I know, Clara. Doesn’t matter. If you want kids eventually, we’ll adopt. Their might even be other options. Don’t let that hold you back. Don’t hold us back with that.”

  My voice came out small. “So you’re okay with that?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “As long as I have you, I don’t care.”

  “You’re too good to be true,” I whispered, staring at him in awe.

  “I think of you in the same way.”

  I couldn’t help myself – I launched myself at him and attacked his mouth. He let out an oomph of surprise, but then his mouth sought mine just as hungrily. He slanted his head and stood as he deepened our kiss, our tongues dancing wildly. Things crashed to the floor as he swept everything off his desk. He forced me to lay back, our lips never parting. His hands roamed my body, not able to get enough. They snuck under the hem of my shirt and cupped my breasts. I moaned at the sensation of his calloused fingers against my skin. He pulled my bra down and palmed my breasts, making me arch into them. My nails dug into his shoulders, and I shuddered.

  “Now, Grey. I need you now,” I pleaded.

  He ground his erection against me, my whimper of want escaping. His hands left my breasts to pull off my jacket and rid me of my sweater. He reached around and unclasped my bra. Free from their confinements, my breast felt heavy and achy. He licked and kissed his way down my neck and over the top mounds of my breast. As his mouth latched onto one nipple, I cried out and ground my hips against his. Rainbows of color burst behind my eyes, it felt so glorious.

  He made quick work with the button of my jeans and zipper. As he switched to the other nipple, he helped me shimmy out of my jeans and panties. He tugged off my boots and tore my jeans and panties the rest of the way down my legs. Suddenly, he was kneeling and forcing my legs all the way apart. His mouth was on me in an instant.

  “Yes,” I moaned. It was too good. He licked and nipped at the tender flesh as two fingers filled me. My back bowed, and I cried out again. “Grey!”

  I must have snapped the control inside him, because he was standing between my legs again. He had already unzipped and pulled himself free somehow, so he slammed into me. Our shouts of pleasure echoed off the walls. There were people around that could probably hear us, but I d
idn’t care. As long as he was in me, everything else didn’t matter.

  Grey’s body covered me as his lips sought mine. His thrusts were fevered, exquisite. “God, I love you,” he whispered into my mouth, between grunts. “So much.”

  “Grey!” I screamed.

  His chest brushed against mine with each movement, the fabric of his shirt producing beautiful friction against my nipples, shooting more and more ecstasy into my core.

  “Tell me you love me, Clara. Tell me,” he demanded, thrusting harder.

  “I love you,” I panted, out of my mind with bliss. “I love you.”

  He pulled himself back and stood between my legs, watching as he entered me repeatedly. His eyes were wild, possessive.

  I loved everything about it.

  About him.

  “You are so beautiful,” he growled and rotated his hips as he plunged into me again. Sublime. He repeated the process over and over again, but I needed more. Too far gone to realize what I was doing, my fingers went between my legs and found my center. I circled my clit as he went deeper.

  Grey sucked in a surprised breath, but I knew he liked what he saw because he began pounding into me. The feel of him inside of me and my own fingers playing with myself was different, but it was brilliant. My back bowed and I whimpered as the coil sprung tighter within me.

  “That’s it, Clara. Touch yourself,” Grey urged, his voice like gravel.

  His features were drawn, severe, as he watched. Sweat dripped down his forehead and neck, and all I wanted to do was lick it. He’d never looked so sexy, so masculine.

  Grey leaned down and found my nipple once more. Taking it into his mouth, he sucked harshly before he bit down. It was all I needed to set me off, and I catapulted into oblivion. My screams reverberated off the walls, enhancing them. Wave after glorious wave wracked my body as the orgasm powered through me.

  Grey drove into me a few more times before he fell on top of me and tucked his head against my shoulder. His groan mixed with mine as he followed me into paradise. I’d never felt more complete. He was mine and I was his, and we loved one another.

  We laid there for a few minutes, cooling down. “Wow,” Grey finally murmured as he stood. “That was amazin’.”

  I smiled lazily at him. “Yes, it was.”

  It was quite erotic to see him between my legs, completely dressed, while I was splayed out on his desk, nude.

  “I don’t think I’m ever gonna get this image out of my mind. I’m gonna picture it every time I come in here,” he admitted, laughing.

  The thought excited me.

  Grey was still inside of me, so he felt this and groaned. “Don’t do that unless you wanna go for round two.”

  “Don’t say stuff like that unless you want to go for round two,” I countered saucily.

  He grinned wickedly. “Good to know.” He looked around at the mess we made and smirked. “This is definitely a first.”

  “I’m glad,” I replied, winking at him.

  I sucked in a breath as he slipped out of me, instantly missing him.

  “Here. Let me help you.” He grabbed a couple of tissues from the box on the floor to clean me and then lifted me to my feet.

  “Thanks.” I looked around for my clothes, finding them strewn everywhere. “Wow,” I murmured, blushing.

  Grey walked up behind me and nuzzled my neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “We got a little carried away.”

  I tilted my neck, giving him better access. “Yeah…”

  “We’ve gotta do this more often.”

  I laughed and stepped away. “You’re going to have a lot of angry guests if we keep that up. I won’t be surprised if you have some now. We weren’t exactly quiet.”

  Grey picked up my bra and threw it at me. “Does it look like I care?”

  “Guess not,” I replied humorously and continued to search for my clothes. Grey watched me, amused, as I struggled to locate my panties. I rolled my eyes as I finally found the missing scrap of lace under the desk.

  Once I was righted again, I fixed my hair and makeup in the mirror. I didn’t want to look like I’d just been ravished. Grey walked up behind me and kissed my neck. “So we’re good?”

  I giggled. “Um, yeah. I think we’re good.”

  His next statement stopped my giggles. “I wanna move in with you.”

  I stared at him in the mirror, slack-jawed. “What?” I breathed.

  “I wanna move in with you.”

  Joy burst in my chest, but then it immediately died.

  Seeing this, Grey eyed me warily. “What is it?”

  My shoulders slumped. “You better sit down.”

  “What’s goin’ on, Clara?”

  “Just sit.” I gestured to the office chair and perched myself up on the desk once more.

  Grey sat and relaxed in his chair, but his expression was tight, guarded. “I thought we were okay.”

  I closed my eyes, the fear of losing Bella overwhelming me again. When I opened them, Grey’s face was even more troubled.

  He should be.

  This whole thing was disastrous.

  “A process server showed up at the house this morning. The Montgomery’s are suing for guardianship of Bella.”

  Grey flew out of his chair and shouted. “What?!”

  I blinked back the tears. “I know. It was a shock to me, as well.”

  “What is wrong with these people?!”

  “Galen thinks Al started the process while they were here,” I told him.

  His fury rolled off of him, permeating the room. “That son of a bitch,” he growled. He took a second to calm himself. “What about Teresa? Oliver? Do you think they’re in on this?”

  “I don’t know.” I lifted one shoulder. “I’m going to call them in a bit, but Galen’s looking over the documents as we speak.” I sighed again, knowing this next part was going to piss him off, too. “Galen confessed to me that he lied about contesting the will.”

  Grey’s whisper was almost violent. “He did what?”

  “I know. But he thought it was best for me to stay. He said it wasn’t as solid as he led me to believe. He could have gotten the stipulations changed. I could’ve gone back to Chicago.”

  Grey blinked a couple times before he could respond. “I knew it.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing… I don’t know if I should thank him or ring his neck.”

  “I felt the same way. I’m glad I stayed, though. I told him never to lie to me like that again. Of course he agreed, but…” I teared up again. “After finding that out, I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bella. I can’t lose her, Grey. I love her.”

  His arms engulfed me, and he rested his cheek on the top of my head. “We won’t let anyone take her away from you. I promise. We’ll figure it out.”

  I sniffled and pulled away a bit. “With that going on, I don’t know if you should move in. They could use that against us, couldn’t they?”

  He studied me, deliberating. “I don’t know, darlin’. We’ll ask Galen, but I don’t see how they could. There are many unmarried couples with children livin’ together.”

  I bit my lip, worried. “Should we chance it?”

  “The Montgomery’s knew I was at your house every night they were here. I don’t think movin’ my stuff there will change anythin’. They already have that ammunition if it can be used as such.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Look, I have a few more things to finish and then I’m done for the day. I’ll head to your place afterward, and we’ll talk some more about it.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “I love you, Clara. We’ll beat this.”

  “I hope you’re right, Grey. Losing Bella will destroy me.”

  “You won’t lose her. We won’t lose her.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I murmured again, smiling sadly.

  “Kiss me, darlin’. I’ve gotta finish this shit, but I’ll see you soon.”
<
br />   I touched my mouth to his, whispering, “I love you, too.”

  ♥♥♥

  “Hey,” I said as I laid my purse down on the counter and took off my jacket.

  Galen stared at me over his reading glasses. “How’d it go, kiddo?”

  “Good.” I grinned at him, not telling him how good it went. “Everything’s perfect.”

  “I knew you two would work it out.” He winked at me.

  “Bella okay?” I questioned, noticing she wasn’t in the living room.

  “I put her down half an hour ago.”

  I glanced at the papers in his hand. “How’s that coming along?”

  “I’ve got a bit more to read. Let me finish it up before I sit down with you.”

  I nodded. “I’m gonna head upstairs and call Teresa…see if I can get some answers from her.”

  “I don’t know how smart that is, kiddo. Whatever you say to her could be used against you right now.”

  “That’s the thing, Galen, I don’t think she’s a part of this. I think this is Al, Gretchen, and Clyde. Teresa and Oliver were too kind to us. They’d have to be amazing actors to pull that off.”

  It’d been four days since they left, and since then, I’d been in contact with her. We’d talked on the phone once, and I’d texted her numerous pictures of Bella, which was another reason I believed she wasn’t aware of what Al did.

  “I don’t know…”

  “Will it hurt to try?” I questioned, giving him a pointed look.

  He sighed heavily. “Guess not. Just be careful, okay?”

  I nabbed my phone from my purse and kissed his cheek as I passed him. “You’ve got it.”

  Once my door closed behind me, I sat on my bed and pulled up Teresa’s number. It had rung twice before her voicemail kicked on. “Hey, this is Teresa. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks. Bye.”

  After the beep, I said, “Teresa, it’s Clara. I need to talk to you as soon as possible. We’ve received some rather disturbing news today. Call me back, will you? Hope to hear from you soon. Bye.” I hung up and stared at the phone, frowning.

  I wasn’t going to give up, though.

  Finding Oliver’s number, I called him, too. He picked up on the third ring, sounding pleased that I’d called. “Hey, Clara. Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”